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Local shop keeps busy with bridal season

With the new year starting, this is currently the busiest season for bridal shows and prom dress shopping.

Local bridal shops, including Simply Elegant, are keeping up with the current trends and are preparing for trunk shows in the coming months to display gowns, veils and jewelry for that special day.

“A few weeks before Christmas is our quiet time,” Simply Elegant Formals owner Brenda Johns said. “There is time there to prepare for the upcoming season.”

Simply Elegant, on County Road 25A, or Wood Street, has used the time prior to the holidays to prepare for trunk shows, bridal shows and the upcoming prom dress shopping season.

In order to prepare brides for their big day, Johns has put together folders filled with literature on how to prepare for their big day and is handing them out to brides-to-be.

A helpful tip for planning a wedding is to attend bridal shows and take notes on what they like and do not like, according to Johns.

“A lot of girls are looking for individualism,” Johns said.

Johns said that many brides-to-be are looking for something different, and not something that they’ve seen before.

A few trends Johns said growing in popularity are wedding gowns with big rosettes, frilly patterns and unique, one-of-a-kind dresses.

“Unique dresses are still out there,” Johns said, “and traditional dresses are starting to come back.”

Traditional dresses include lace pattern and dresses with sleeves, even if it is only a one-shoulder sleeve.

“I suggest girls take the time to try on different styles,” Johns said. “They may not like a style on the hanger or model, but if they try it on, they may love it on themselves.”

On Sunday, the annual Lima Bride 2012 will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. During this time there will be 65 booths set up that will display new ideas and products, such as cakes, dresses and photographers, tickets for this event are $5 at the door.

Simply Elegant is among one of the vendors who will be bringing samples of their dresses and setting up a booth at the event.

“We will show 10-12 gowns, which will be modeled by professional models,” Johns said.

Other shows that the store is getting ready for is their annual trunk shows.

During the weekend of Jan. 14, the bridal shop will feature head pieces and jewelry, and some will be at special discounted prices.

“We will be having a large amount of inventory,” Johns said. “You will see more than we normally have.”

On Jan. 21, a Bonny Trunk Show will be held at Simply Elegant, and will feature the Unforgettable line, which focuses on plus sizes.

On March 30, will be the shop’s largest trunk show, which will feature a mother’s line of dresses, including Jade, and bridesmaid dresses, which will include the Jasmine and Belsoie lines.

In addition, Simply Elegant has partnered with local vendors, and is holding a raffle at their shop, in which a winner will be drawn each month, and will win prizes, including gift certificates and special deals from local photographers, masseuses and florists.

“This is to let people know what is available,” Johns said of the many local vendors in the area.

One tip that Johns also suggests is to be cautious of buying a wedding gown online, and to make sure the dress they are thinking about purchasing online is indeed authentic, and not a website posing to be a designer.

“We always provide our customers with certificates of authenticity,” Johns said of the dresses they sell. “This gives them comfort to know what they paid for.”